Challenge is To Get More Involved in Surveys

Tuesday, December 14, 2010 03:59 AM

Prince George, B.C.- The annual residents satisfaction survey has no statistical relevance, yet it is the survey the City relies on the most to help form the City’s budget and budget priorities.

The Institute for Social Research and Evaluation has conducted the Resident Quality of Life survey for the past 17 years, but despite their best efforts, can only get a return rate of surveys in the 10% range.

Dr. Shannon Wagner says she understands and shares Prince George City Council’s concerns on the response rate, “I think this information can be used particularly in a broader sense to guide discussion.” She says there has been a consistency in the responses over the years. Even though the people responding are different, the same items rank as the best five, and the worst five, so “There is a message there.” ( to see the highlights of the survey click here)

Dr. Wagner says the survey is not able to replicate the kind of information and data gathered by the census, “The cost of replicating that kind of survey is very high” She donates her time to produce this annual report.

The real challenge is to try to get more people to fill out the surveys and return them. Wagner says she has looked at different ways to try and get more people to respond, “but at this point, honestly, I’m not really sure.”

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Posted on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 03:59 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: gus on December 14 2010 5:11 AM

Provide a number with the survey, enter the numbers of the returned surveys which have been properly filled out into a draw for a few prizes.

Commercial enterprises do it to get marketing information on their products/services, why should public organizations not do the same?

http://www.stipling.com/surveyprize.php

Posted by: BCRacer on December 14 2010 5:50 AM

maybe try sending the surveys to other people for a change, 40 years in this town and not once have I got a survey...

Posted by: pizzacook on December 14 2010 6:04 AM

its called voting.

Please get rid of that advertisement with the rolling car. It is worn out and very agravating

Posted by: northman on December 14 2010 7:37 AM

Well it would help if i knew the damn things existed in the first place. Epic fail in the marketing department.

Does anyone else see a bias here? 10% return.. This 10% is probably dominated by people closely related to city council who would be in arms length of information that there is in fact a survey.

Posted by: He spoke on December 14 2010 9:24 AM

Hey, all your brainiacs at the ivory tower. There is thing that is like, you know called the internet. its really good to getting information. ah, so please put away the telex machine.

Posted by: Retired on December 14 2010 10:03 AM

I for one have never ever seen a survey or gotten one in the mail. Maybe they could just mail it with a tax notice. I bet that the response rate would be much higher.
Cheers

Posted by: hammmy on December 14 2010 10:35 AM

I always VOTE in any and all elections that concern my living status and I never received any such snow removal survey.
Being a resident of the Hart you would surely think we would have received one. I think I will ask my neighbors if they received any such thing.
10% return, those statistics are just crap and nothing to be bragging about in my opinion.
"He spoke" you've got the right idea, why is it so hard for those brainiacs at city hall to figure that one out. I guess it's all that education and diplomas clouding any straight or common sense thinking!

Posted by: supertech on December 14 2010 12:35 PM

" those brainiacs at city hall" don't want us too respond to this police station thing and that is pretty obvious by the advertising of said form. The goal is unreachable,allowing them to build, unless a miracle happens. I see a big ad in the Citizen today . Don't know who was responsible but it was definitely not in favor. I picked up forms at city hall and am doing what I can do. Anyone with some time should do the same if you think we should take part in this decision.

Posted by: supertech on December 14 2010 7:58 PM

My question is: Why couldn't they do the same survey with the proposed police building? Because they are adamant about building it and your opinion on this matter is of no concern to them. Regardless of how many folks sign the "alternate" approval form, I'm almost positive that they will be short the number of required signatures. The plot thickens - - -

Posted by: Surefire on December 15 2010 12:10 AM

Good idea supertech I'll pick up forms on the question of the new police station at city hall as well. I think I'll set up a information booth in front of Wall Marts.

Posted by: Surefire on December 15 2010 12:25 AM

You know if the city council and mayor had a lick of sence you wouldn't have to vote at serveys. Any person with half a brain should figure out that there aren't many working people in Prince George. So why don't we renovate one of those schools that the liberals have abandoned and save the tax payer some cash!!!!!!!!!! I'm sure there are other digs where they can locate.